BlueSky Team

Dr. Moore graduated with his doctorate in psychology from Lehigh University and has spent over 10 years in the role of assistant director or director of behavioral health at residential and day treatment facilities. He has expertise in a range of mental health disorders and has extensive experience with clients identified with dual diagnoses. Prior to his director positions Dr. Moore worked as a psychologist at a residential treatment facility, adjunct professor of psychology, and published work on impulse control disorders. In addition, Dr. Moore has worked as a private practice psychologist in New York and Connecticut.

Dr. Arcuni is a graduate of Cornell University College of Medicine, and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He completed his psychiatric residency training at the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic in New York, N.Y., following which he became the Director at the Mental Health Clinic of Danbury Hospital and served as the Chairman of Psychiatry at Danbury Hospital for 25 years. Following this he became the Director of Addiction Medicine at High Watch Recovery Center in Kent, Conn. Dr. Arcuni is board certified in psychiatry and addiction medicine.

Ms. DelGrosso is a Connecticut and New York Licensed Clinical Social Worker with experience working with a diversified client base. Her experience includes clients with Borderline Personality Disorder and other personality disorders, psychotic disorders, as well as a range of mood disorders. Ms. DelGrosso specializes in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.

Chhanda Som earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a research concentration and Neuroscience in 2011 at the University of Connecticut. During her time there, she worked in various labs which included the clinical psychology lab that focused on the effectiveness of brief stress management techniques. She then worked at Franciscan's Hospital for Children as a Residential Counselor in the Community Based Acute Treatment Unit in Boston, MA. In 2013, she joined BlueSky as a Life Skills Coach and earned her Life Coach Certification. In 2016 she became the Program Director and is currently the Executive Director of BlueSky.

Elizabeth Heffernan runs BlueSky's Morning Program for all new clients, and has been with BlueSky since 2013 as a Life Coach. She is currently attending Central Connecticut State University for a Master's in Licensed Professional Counseling in Mental Health, and holds a Bachelor's in Psychology with a minor in Political Science from Western Connecticut State University. Elizabeth has worked in the human service field for over 10 years, and has won the 2013 Provider of the Year for excellent service in the Western Connecticut Mental Health Network. She has held positions as a Residential Case Manager at the Mental Health Association of Connecticut, and as a Case Manager with The Connection Inc., reuniting families in the DCF system. Elizabeth is the proud mother of a beautiful high school aged daughter, and enjoys skiing, reading, and Historical European Martial Arts with a focus in German longsword.

Starnipha Fletcher is a Psychiatric Physician Assistant, NCCPA certified since 2002. She first
earned her BS degree at Pace-Lenox Hill Physician Assistant Program in 2002, then later her
MS in Research studies in 2013. Earlier in her career, she worked in numerous multi-
disciplinary areas of medicine including Acute Care Internal Medicine, Urgent Care settings,
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine,Gastroenterology and Addiction Medicine. In addition to her
position here at Blue Sky Behavioral Health she also holds a position as a Psychiatric
Physician Assistant with the Correctional Health Services- PAGNY in NYC, namely, Rikers
Island. Mrs. Fletcher is also nationally registered as DOT Medical Examiner.

Krystal Antoniuk received her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Marist College and her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Justice Studies with a minor in Spanish from the University of New Hampshire. Through her course of studies she gained experience interning in a county jail and an outpatient psychiatric mental health clinic where she facilitated groups focusing on self-esteem, anxiety management and DBT skills. Prior to coming to BlueSky Krystal was working as a therapist at an outpatient substance abuse treatment facility in Danbury, Conn., where she worked primarily with clients involved in the criminal justice system. During her time there she facilitated the Intensive Outpatient Program, REBT problem-solving groups and women's recovery groups. Krystal has experience working with substance use, mood disorders, PTSD, chronic/severe mental illness and criminal justice system involved clients.

Donna Gleissner is licensed in Connecticut as a Professional Counselor and an Alcohol and Drug Counselor, as well as being Nationally Certified as a Board Certified Counselor. Born and raised in the Danbury, Conn., area she earned her BA in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling from Western Connecticut State University. She has been working in the field of mental health and substance abuse for many years in a variety of settings from residential to outpatient. She worked a a children's facilitator for bereavement support groups for children who had a parent die and has facilitated NAMI Family to Family Educational Program. Trained through the ISSD (Institute for the Study of Study of Trauma and Dissociation) she has specialized training working with clients with chronic trauma and dissociative disorders. She has a diversified work experience working with those with substance abuse issues, anxiety, chronic mental illness and depression.

Linda Padroff is a Connecticut and New York Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is also credentialed as a Certified Addiction Specialist through the American Academy of Health Care Providers; she also holds a Specialty Certificate of Competence in Substance abuse through the State of Connecticut. Ms. Padroff has experience working with individuals with a full range of mood disorders, OCD, Borderline Personality Disorder, and with individuals with PTSD and DID. Additionally, Ms. Padroff has organized several family conferences on the treatment of Personality Disorders, Mood Disorders, and Substance Abuse. Ms. Padroff was instrumental in integrating Dialectical Behavioral Therapy into the overall program at BlueSky Behavioral Health and has experience facilitating psychoeducational groups, group therapy, and providing supervision to therapists seeking licensure.

Mary received her Master's in Social Work from Fordham University, and her Bachelor's in Social Work from Western Connecticut State University. Mary has served as a counselor at a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter, and as a case manager with both at-risk youth and at a substance abuse and mental health facility. She also volunteers with an organization to help feed and clothe the homeless, and is a co-pastor at a local church with her husband.

Floren is a Licensed Masters Level Social Worker in New York and Connecticut. Floren earned a Masters of Social Work from SCSU in 2013, interning at a nursing home, family service agency and Yale New Haven Hospital. She co-facilitated a caregiver support group for families struggling with end of life care, Alzheimer's and Dementia. Her previous employment includes working as an ACT team family social worker at Queens Hospital Center and as a Methadone Counselor at Connecticut Counseling Center. She also volunteered for several years at Ann's Place, a cancer support center in Danbury, Conn. Floren co-facilitated a young adult cancer survivor support group. Floren has experience with elder care, chronic illness, pain, substance use, severe psychiatric disorders and mental health issues. She spent a decade as a volunteer firefighter and is Firefighter 1 certified. Her hobbies include cooking, hiking, photography, and reading, and giving back to the community. Floren is a passionate social worker, believing in a person centered approach to therapy.

Jacqueline Sherling received her Master's degree in clinical social work and urban leadership from Simmons College and her undergraduate degree in philosophy from Skidmore College. She specializes in helping clients gain insights and make connections, understand their internal dialog and core beliefs, and strengthen their sense of efficacy by empowering them with tools and skills to manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. She understands that individuals are part of other systems and has brought families together for therapy to assist in working towards these goals. Jacqueline facilitates the self-esteem, family relationship, anxiety skills, and DBT skills groups. Prior to coming to BlueSky Jacqueline was a supervisor at a domestic violence shelter, ran an Intensive Outpatient Program, and worked in a private practice.

Dr. Grady is a clinical psychologist in a private practice in New York City and Westchester, New York. He sees a cross section of patients with psychiatric, interpersonal, and substance abuse issues. He is part of the Personality Studies Institute in New York City, headed by Dr. Otto Kernberg, and supervises trainees on Transference Focused Psychotherapy. He is a graduate of Hunter College and received his doctorate from the Graduate Center of the City of New York. Before opening a private practice, he worked in the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Room at Bellevue/NYU Medical Center.

Obadiah Muhammad is a Gulf War Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, who received his Master’s degree in Social Work, with a concentration of Veterans Services and a sub concentration of Health and Mental Health, from the University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford; and his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, with a concentration in Social Work and Social Welfare from Albertus Magnus College. Obadiah’s diverse professional positions before coming to BlueSky, include working at Native American Treatment program in Gallup New Mexico as well as working in the acute psychiatric department at Yale New Haven Hospital. Obadiah’s most recent position was as a clinician at a Connecticut Department of Corrections/Federal Bureau of Prisons Half-Way House in New Haven CT, working with formerly incarcerated individuals that suffer from severe persistent mental illness. While working in the halfway house, Obadiah performed individual sessions based on EMDR and EFT therapeutic techniques, as well as facilitated ‘S.E.L.F.’ Trauma focused groups, CBT, DBT, IVP and psychoeducational focused groups. Obadiah is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing); CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy); DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy); EFT (Emotional Focus Therapy-Tapping) and IVP (Intimate Partner Violence).

Ashley Ripperger is the Program Manager of the Enhanced Treatment Program at BlueSky Behavioral Health. She has been working at BlueSky since 2016 after she graduated with her Bachelor's in Psychology; Human Services at Liberty University. She has a passion to serve others and has been a part of many community service projects throughout the years.

Cooper is a registered therapy dog who loves his job. He was rescued by his handler, Jaime, over two years ago and loves meeting new people and both giving and receiving love. Cooper is a total mush and will spend time with anyone willing to spend time with him.

Cooper lives with his baby brother, whom he thinks is just the best when food falls from the highchair. After a hard day of work, Cooper loves to relax with a swim in the pool and a nap in the sun.